Memories of Busan: Racela, PHL 5 hope for redemption

One thousand and eight hundred fifty miles from China, one of the most interesting cagers who played in the Asian Games twice is wishing the Pilipinas-Smart Gilas basketball team the best of luck in its quarterfinals match against South Korea. Olsen Racela, a member of the last all-pro Philippine men's basketball squad in the 2002 Asian Games, hopes the Smart Gilas team can make up for the shocking loss the Philippine team suffered in Busan eight years ago in the Filipinos' semifinals match against South Korea. "I'm not familiar with the way the Koreans are playing now, but judging from the way the Philippines played against Chinese Taipei, I think we have a good chance of winning over South Korea," Racela told GMANews.TV in a telephone interview. "South Korea and Chinese Taipei have similarities in playing style. With the way our Philippine team is playing now, I think our players are peaking at the right time, which will be crucial against South Korea," added Racela, who turned 40 last November 1. The San Miguel Beer veteran point guard, who is now playing in his last conference in the Philippine Basketball Association, hopes the Pilipinas-Smart Gilas team can gain redemption. Racela cannot forget that nightmare of a game in Busan eight years ago.. "It was my most memorable game, for a wrong reason," said Racela, who missed two crucial free throws in the closing seconds of their semifinals game against Korea. a victory then would have put the Philippines in a gold medal match versus the Yao Ming-led China. "A lot of people have not yet forgotten that. I just hope the Philippines wins its game against South Korea para naman medyo makabawi," added Racela. The Pilipinas-Smart Gilas squad, which finished No. 3 in Group F in the preliminary round, battles South Korea on Wednesday. Like Racela, veteran mentor Jong Uichico will be one among the well-wishers in the Filipinos' match against the Koreans. "I've already gone over the Busan experience. That was a long time ago, but I'm optimistic this year's batch in the Asian Games can get to the championship round," added Uichico, who handled the squad in 2002, replacing the legendary Ron Jacobs. Jacobs, who led the all-amateur Philippine men's basketball team to the Asian Basketball Confederation (now FIBA Asia Championship) crown in 1985, suffered a stroke in 2001 and was eventually replaced by his long-time deputy Uichico. - KY, JVP, GMANews.TV